Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia will begin trialing a digital distribution system for its Family Hope Program (PKH) in Banyuwangi, East Java, in mid-September, aiming to improve transparency and targeting of social aid, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said.
“This is a major leap in ensuring aid is delivered more efficiently and transparently,” Yusuf told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.He explained that the digital transformation aims to ensure more accurate targeting of PKH beneficiaries through an objective and transparent mechanism, in line with Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 83 of 2025 on the Government Digital Transformation Acceleration Committee.
PKH assistance is disbursed in cash, with varying amounts based on beneficiary categories. According to data from the Ministry of Social Affairs, the 2025 allocation includes: Pregnant and postpartum mothers – IDR 3 million/year ; Children aged 0–6 – IDR 3 million/year ; Elementary school children – IDR 900,000/year ; Junior high school students – IDR 1.5 million/year ; Senior high school students – IDR 2 million/year ; Elderly and persons with severe disabilities – IDR 2.4 million/year ' Victims of gross human rights violations – IDR 10.8 million/year.
Although the use of technology is expected to reduce subjectivity and minimize the risk of misallocation, the minister emphasized that the public remains actively involved in the data updating process—through features that allow individuals to propose, dispute, or register via the dedicated application within the system.
Baca juga: Independence Day reminder for equity and social justice: DEN Chair
Field verification will also continue, with thousands of social assistance officers and local officials deployed to help residents—especially those unfamiliar with digital tools—navigate the new system.
“We are aware that not everyone is comfortable with technology, which is why the government is deploying all necessary resources to assist the public,” said Minister Saifullah Yusuf.
He expressed optimism that improved beneficiary data would lead to more precisely targeted social interventions, allowing authorities to better track how many families graduate out of poverty each year.
Baca juga: Kemensos-DEN percepat digitalisasi bansos tepat sasaran
This, he noted, is especially significant for Banyuwangi Regency, which recorded a poverty rate of 6.59% in 2024—below the national average of 8.57%.
If the pilot in Banyuwangi proves successful, the PKH digitalization will be expanded gradually to a national scale. Based on joint projections with the National Economic Council (DEN), the shift could save the state budget up to IDR 14 trillion annually.